Since 1910, the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History has inspired curiosity and learning about the natural world and our place in it.

Entomology

12/22/2015

Horse flies and deer flies are members of the largest family of bloodsucking insects—the Tabanidae, with more than 4,000 species described worldwide. Nearly all females feed on blood, which is needed for the development of eggs. That blood can transmit parasites to humans and livestock. All males and some females feed on nectar and pollen, and are important pollinators.

I started working with insects as an undergraduate student in Brazil, because I enjoyed drawing and wanted to be a scientific illustrator. After a few weeks of interning, I learned about entomology collections and taxonomy, and started a project with horse flies. My fascination did not end there, these horse flies then became the subject of my studies as an undergrad, and subsequently, as a Master’s and PhD student. During my PhD, I shifted the focus of my research to molecular systematics—using DNA to study their evolutionary relationships—and I became interested in using next generation sequencing and phylogenomic data (genetic data from across the whole genome used to investigate evolutionary histories).

A project sponsored by the Global Genome Initiative allowed me to spend two weeks in the Amazon rainforest collecting horse flies in collaboration with a team from the National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA). The goal was to collect as many horse fly genera as possible, and for that reason, we chose the State of Amazonas in Brazil. It is the richest area of the world for horse fly diversity, with a total of 84 species known, distributed in 16 genera, and three subfamilies. We set up malaise traps in forest trails and near tributary rivers (known as “igarapés”), and suspended the traps at 80ft high in the canopy in several locations near the cities of Presidente Figueiredo and Manaus.

It was a great experience to spend several disconnected days in the Amazon Rainforest, visiting different habitats, chasing different species of horse flies according to the time of the day, and sleeping in a hammock at night. With this project, we were able to obtain representatives of 32 species, 13 genera, and two subfamilies of horse flies. These samples are deposited at the Smithsonian’s Biorepository and will be available for ongoing and future genomic research, and thus contributing to a better understanding of the Amazonian fauna and the evolutionary history of flies.

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, our shipping containers holding the liquid nitrogen dewars produced some sort of concern at the airport, as they did not emerge with our luggage initially. Photo by Matt Buffington, SEL-USDA.

I am Matt Buffington, and I am a research entomologist with the Systematic Entomology Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, housed at the National Museum of Natural History. My research focuses on parasitic wasps, which we use in agriculture for controlling pest insect populations that compete with humans for food.

Parasitic wasps are very small (typically 2mm long) and it is very difficult to tell some species apart. My job is to research these species, describe species new to science, and produce publications that help other researchers understand these species and identify them correctly. This data helps the research community more effectively manage and protect our natural and agricultural ecosystems.

Matt Buffington (foreground) and his student Chia-Hua Lue (background) use their sweepnets to capture parasitic Hymenoptera in Iguazu National Park, Argentina. Photo by Mike Gates, SEL-USDA.

This GGI expedition piggy-backed on a trip to Argentina to teach the taxonomy and biology of wasps to an international group of students. This collecting expedition was in collaboration with the Foundation for the Study of Invasive Species (Fundacion para el estudio de especies invasivas, FuEDEI ), and in particular, with the entomologists Willie Cabrera and Fernando McKay. These two researchers each led a group of scientists to different research locations. One team headed to Patagonia with Willie, the other to the Iguazu National Park with Fernando and me. After driving over two days to our site, collecting began in earnest!

Traditional collecting with yellow bowl traps, each filled with soapy water. Here we collected insects associated with this refuse heap of compost and rotting avocados. While this may sound like a disgusting habitat to sample, in fact, it’s a huge biodiversity magnet of free, partially digested protein, and hence, a great place to collect insects! Puerto Iguazu, Missiones, Argentina. Photographer, Matt Buffington SEL-USDA.

Our field work had two major goals, to sample indigenous insects of the Iguazu National Park; and develop field protocols for collecting, databasing, and preserving insect specimens in liquid nitrogen. Preserving specimens in the comfort of the lab can be straightforward. However, working deep in a tropical forest can present challenges for documenting and preserving these specimens in liquid nitrogen. Since the Global Genome Initiative is relatively new, our documentation of the process helps to describe best practices for other researchers to use.

We experimented with forms of ‘mobile-trapping’ to maximize our catch, here Fernando aspirates insects off of a black-light sheet draped off the back of our field vehicle.

Digitally vouchering in the field is typically not easy. Smartphones are a game-changer in this case, as the device made for capturing images very fast and reliable. In this case, the phone is attached to a small tripod, the specimen is adjusted for focus, and then photographed. The image file was then sent via Airdrop to a laptop, where it was linked to the barcode number for the same specimen.

Another example of a digital voucher; in this case, a grasshopper. Iguazu National Park, Missiones, Argentina. Photo by Matt Buffington, SEL-USDA.

After six solid days of collecting by both teams, a total of 1,479 specimens had been collected, identified, databased and deposited in liquid nitrogen. These specimens help form the basis of the insect collection of the GGI, and a fantastic amount of logistical information was gathered on how, and how not, to collect specimens into liquid nitrogen when abroad in the tropics. Stay tuned for more expeditions by following the hashtag #SmithsonianGGI!

The hallmark feature of Iguazu National Park is Iguazu Falls, seen here. At three times the size of Niagara Falls, the tremendous power of this tropical waterfall is truly something to behold. Insect collecting near the falls was not very productive, though it was a nice place to cool off! Photo by Matt Buffington, SEL-USDA.

06/22/2015

Well, it was actually several entomologists, and together this group conducted a two-day, BioBlitz-style, sampling of Southern Appalachian terrestrial (living on land) invertebrates for genomic preservation! Read on for details from one of our first GGI collecting expeditions!

This Luna moth female, Actinas luna, is one of North America’s largest Saturniid species. Adult wing span is between 3.1 and 4.5 inches. It is lime green and has long, tapering hind wings, which have eye spots to confuse potential predators. Collected at night at a light sheet in Highlands, NC. Photo by Taina Litwak, USDA.

I’m Mike Gates, a Research Entomologist working for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and housed in the National Museum of Natural History. I conduct research on insects of agricultural importance, and our two organizations are partners. More specifically, I focus on taxonomy and systematics of a superfamily of parasitic wasps, called Chalcidoidea. Many of these wasps are used in biological control of insect pests, and are beneficial in agricultural and horticultural systems.

I was recently awarded funds by the Smithsonian’s Global Genome Initiative to take a team down to the Southern Appalachian region of North Carolina to collect terrestrial arthropods into liquid nitrogen. Why? The goal of preservation at super cold temperatures is ultra-high quality, and then making them available for researchers worldwide to use in their genomic-level research. This region was selected due to its floristic diversity which typically equates with insect diversity. The area is known the variety of habitats nearby, from serpentine barrens to coves.

Our team included entomologists specializing in aquatic insects/beetles, true bugs, parasitic wasps, flies, and moths. We were also supported by arachnologist Jonathan Coddington, Director of GGI, and our scientific illustrator Taina Litwak who documented the trip digitally.

We stayed at the Highlands Biological Station, a very well appointed facility with excellent gardens, highlighting the native flora. Our team had a blast, working until 3:00am on more than one occasion. We used nets, traps, and UV lights to collect both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. The fun parts of this whole expedition are the experimentation with best practices, since these genomic preservation opportunities are new to us. For example, what is the best way to collect and record information about an organism before putting it into the liquid nitrogen? What is the best way to submerge a specimen into liquid nitrogen? We tried a tea infuser for some of the smaller specimens.

All specimens were identified, placed in barcoded tubes, databased, and dropped into liquid nitrogen for preservation at -196 degrees Celsius. We filled a total of 900 tubes, sampling heavily across insects, but also mollusks, millipedes, and spiders. All our data has been uploaded to the Global Genome Biodiversity Network and is available for researchers to explore. We plan to continue to contribute to the GGI with our future collecting endeavors!

Using a cornstarch "duster" on a spiderweb. Puffing cornstarch on a spiderweb reveals otherwise invisible details of its structure. Highlands, NC. Video by Taina Litwak, USDA.

Light sheet collecting set up at night in early May at Highlands, NC. This collecting method involves setting a 175 watt mercury vapor light near a vertically suspended white sheet. It is a very simple and effective collecting method, which can result in a wide variety of carefully selected live specimens ready for examining. Highlands, NC. Photo by Taina Litwak, USDA.

Collecting variety - an Azalea Sphinx Moth, Darapsa choerilu (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) and an unidentified species of small Crane Fly. The broad spectrum of light emitted by the mercury vapor bulb attracts a wide variety of live insects to select from for DNA preservation. Highlands, NC. Photo by Taina Litwak, USDA.

05/14/2015

To raise awareness of Endangered Species Day, we spoke with our scientists to find out about species that are particularly meaningful to them. Which endangered species do you care about? Share your stories in the comments below!

Echinacea laevigata. Image by M. Peters.

Smooth Coneflower (Echinacea laevigata)

By Melinda Peters, Collections Management, Botany

The cheerful face of the Smooth Coneflower is delightful for many reasons, but since 1992 it has been on the list of Federally Endangered Species. I decided to study the genetics of this plant in graduate school in hopes of helping conservation efforts. Currently this species is only known in VA, NC, SC, and GA. E. laevigata is a prairie plant, but due to the changing landscapes of America's prairie habitats, scientists have seen a decrease in populations because of habitat loss. Without grazers and natural fires on the land to maintain increasing encroachment of invasives and forest species, the prairie plants lose out and we see new communities forming. As these prairie plants become more segregated, it is harder for pollinators to find them and help distribute pollen for an increased genetic diversity. Funny enough, the largest populations of E. laevigata are in huge power line rights-of-way. They persist because the landscape is mowed, which mimics the act of grazing and in turn allows the populations to continue to flourish. These plants are important for the balance of these communities, which is why scientists are researching ways to conserve them. This is when I break into song and sing, “The Circle of Life.” Enjoy nature, and appreciate its beauty, but leave things in their place because they play a role in their community just like us. It is always a good idea to “stop and smell the flowers”- just do not pick them!

There is only one fly on the U.S. Endangered Species List: the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly. This subspecies of mydas fly is native to the Delhi Sands, a unique dunes habitat in southern California. The sands once covered about 40 square miles in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, but urban development and agricultural expansion have reduced the habitat to isolated pockets a tiny fraction of their original size. The destruction of the Delhi Sands has led to the dwindling of the Delhi Sands flower-loving fly, along with other plant and animal species that can only be found in this unique habitat. While these flies and other endangered insects do not get the attention that the larger, more charismatic vertebrates do, they play a vital and often underappreciated role in ecosystems and deserve protection too!

A rosewood at the State Park of Rio Preto, Brazil. Image by M. Vatanparst.

Rosewoods (Dalbergia)

Mohammad Vatanparast, Postdoctoral Fellow, Botany

I found rosewood trees (species in the genus Dalbergia L.f.) to be important elements of our biodiversity when I started my studies on these species five years ago. They produce fine timbers of high economic value and many species of rosewood demonstrate nitrogen fixation by root nodules associated with bacteria. These species grow in diverse climate conditions in tropical and sub-tropical regions. More than 50 species are listed in the IUCN Red List as vulnerable or endangered mostly because of deforestation and logging. Conserving these precious species is one of my research goals and I hope that we can find a solution!

The Red Siskin is an iconic and beautiful bird that once roamed the skies of northern Venezuela in large flocks. Such captivating displays like this first inspired my love and respect for the natural world, eventually leading to a deeper fascination with the tremendous diversity, complexity and history of life that surrounds us in almost any location on this planet. Unfortunately, decades of wildlife trafficking for the pet trade have decimated the Red Siskin population in Venezuela, where the species is now listed as critically endangered. Like many others, I feel an urgency to protect our remaining natural resources for future generations so that they too may be inspired to embrace sustainability. At the Smithsonian, I am contributing most directly to this mission through my participation in the Red Siskin Initiative. Scientists and experts from across the institution are collaborating with international partners to recover sustainable populations of Red Siskins in Venezuela through research, captive breeding, reintroduction, education and efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. Our team is also working to protect a previously undocumented population of this species that was discovered in Guyana in 2000 during a joint expedition between the National Museum of Natural History and the University of Kansas. I look forward to the day when large flocks of this highly endangered bird are again a common sight and the scourge of wildlife trafficking is greatly reduced.

The Flora of the Hawaiian Islands website has images for many species, including Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum from Hawaii’s Haleakala National Park. Image by Warren L. Wagner (L). Flowers of Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. sandwicense from Hawaii’s Maua Kea. Image by Bruce Baldwin (R).

Haleakalā Silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense)

Gary Krupnick, Head of the Plant Conservation Unit, Botany

For our 10th wedding anniversary, we were fortunate enough to visit the island of Maui, Hawaii. We spent one morning hiking in the Haleakalā National Park. When we reached the rim of the dormant volcano, the view took my breath away. The amazing site before our eyes looked like a surreal painting, and scattered throughout this painting were spots of brilliant silver. On closer examination, those silver spots were plants called the Haleakalā silversword, also known as Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum. Endemic to Hawaii, these silverswords are listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Threats to this species' survival include introduced sheep and goats, loss of pollinators, and over-collecting. With proper protection, this subspecies is recovering nicely and it is now considered a successful conservation story. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for its sister subspecies, the Mauna Kea silversword Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. sandwicense. This species grows on the big island of Hawaii, where only around 40 naturally occurring plants remain.

02/14/2015

Love is in the air at the National Museum of Natural History! Our scientists are helping species look for love in this series of “dating profiles” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Will #NMNHcupid help them find their one and only?

02/13/2015

Love is in the air at the National Museum of Natural History! Our scientists are helping species look for love in this series of “dating profiles” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Will #NMNHcupid help them find their one and only?

Little old me. Check out my mandibles! Image by Katia Seltmann, via Encyclopedia of Life.

I couldn’t do without: My fig. But it couldn’t do without me (or more accurately, my sisters) either. Since the fig’s flowers are inside the body cavity of the fig, its only source of outside pollen is that carried by a female wasp from her birth fig. The developing seeds lost to the emergence of my sisters and brothers are a small price to pay for the fig, since without us wasps, it wouldn’t be able to make any seeds at all!

I’m really good at: Chewing. I may be small and wingless, but I’m still a gentlemen. After mating, I gallantly chew a hole in the fig’s wall so my winged mates can get out and take their eggs (as well as pollen) into another fig.

02/12/2015

Love is in the air at the National Museum of Natural History! Our scientists are helping species look for love in this series of “dating profiles” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Will #NMNHcupid help them find their one and only?

About me:I am a very good flier, but I can usually be found in still or slow moving fresh water, such as a lake, marsh or pond.

The most private thing I'm willing to share: When under water, I use respiratory tubes, called airstraps, to breathe.

Favorite Food: I only eat what I can catch. Using my raptorial legs, I will ambush my prey. While I will eat most small invertebrates or vertebrates, my favorite meals are dragonfly nymphs and snails.

Looking for:Male that will be willing to carry approximately 100 eggs on his back until they hatch. Familiarity with basic childrearing techniques a plus. This may include air brooding, where the male keeps the eggs at the water surface, or brood pumping, where the male uses his hind legs to increase water flow over the eggs to ensure they receive enough oxygen. Must also provide eggs with protection from predators, especially the water bug Notonecta undulata.

Love is in the air at the National Museum of Natural History! Our scientists are helping species look for love in this series of “dating profiles” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Will #NMNHcupid help them find their one and only?

Image by Rosa Pineda, Smithsonian Institution.

Screen name: PinkPediPrincess

Species: Avicularia avicularia

Sex:Female

Location: Treetops across South America

Height: 3-4 inches in body length

Body Type:fuzzy

Diet:various invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates

I'm really good at

Jumping. When I get startled, my first reaction is to leap away, sometimes as far as 3 feet!

The first thing people usually notice about me

My perfect pedicure. No matter the season, my toes are a pretty pink.

On a typical Friday, you’ll find me

Chilling in my self-spun silk hammock, up in my favorite tree.

The most private thing I'm willing to share

Sometimes when someone really bothers me, I squirt poop at them (and I have really good aim).

02/11/2015

Love is in the air at the National Museum of Natural History! Our scientists are helping species look for love in this series of “dating profiles” to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Will #NMNHcupidhelp them find their one and only?

07/14/2014

The Insect Zoo is excited to announce that tarantula feedings will now happen every day of the week! Our three new Monday tarantulas have made their debut, but we need your help to name them. Meet our new stars below, and then vote for your favorite names on our Facebook page.

Mexican Fireleg Tarantula:

True to its name, the Mexican Fireleg tarantula (Brachypelma boehmei) is native to Mexico. Firelegs prefer dry scrubland areas, where they live in self-made or adopted burrows. Males are exceptionally long lived for tarantulas, reaching maturity after 7 or 8 years, and females can live to be 20. Our Fireleg still has some growing to do until it reaches full size, so we still don’t know if it’s a boy or girl! Do you think (s)he is a Lava, Pyro, or Flash?

Bolivian Salmon Tarantula:

Native to Bolivia and Argentina, Bolivian Salmon Pink tarantulas (Acanthoscurria chacoana) are relatively large, growing to 7 or 8 inches in legspan. Covered in black-brown hair, they also have long pink hairs on their legs and abdomen. Aside from their wonderful fashion sense, these urticating hairs can be kicked off the abdomen as a defense, irritating skin and soft tissues. Would you say our tarantula’s an Urti, Webster, or Flash?

Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula:

Fast growing and good eaters, Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantulas (Acanthoscurria geniculata) reach maturity in as little as three or four years. Native to the forests of Brazil, these tarantulas are terrestrial, hiding out under leaves and logs. With its flashy black and white striped legs, is Stripes, Rio, or Pouncer a good fit?

Go vote for your favorite names! The winning names will be announced on Monday, July 21.